Finalists to 3rd TOFARM Film Festival revealed

Dr. Milagros How, the president of Universal Harvester Incorporated, announced Tuesday the official finalists to the 3rd TOFARM Festival at the Monet Room of Novotel Hotel in Quezon City.

From 119 submitted entries, the task of choosing the Lucky 7 finalists was the Screening Committee chaired by Raquel Villavicencio, with writer Krip Yuson, director Antoinette Jadaone, director Mario Cornejo and writer Manny Buising as members.

 The lucky finalists are:

 “1957” –  a historical drama set in 1957, the year that President Ramon Magsaysay died in a plane crash, written and directed by Hubert Tibi. A group of farmers oppressed by an abusive landlord in Bicol is pinning their hopes on the visit of Pres. Magsaysay in their place for genuine land reform, without knowing that he has died in the crash in Mt. Manunggal.

 “Alimuom” – science fiction, written and directed by Keith Sicat. Set in the future when parts of our country are under bio-domes. OFWs now stand for Outerspace Filipino Workers.

 “Fa-sang” – period romance, written by Charlson Ong. This is based on the classic Philippine short story “Tanabata’s Wife” by Sinai Hamada set in the 1920s about a Japanese immigrant farmer in La Trinidad, Baguio who falls in love with a local woman, Fasang, who later becomes unfaithful.

 “Isang Kuwento ng Gubat (The Leonard Co Story)” – biopic, written by Rosalie Matilac, directed by Ellen Ongkeko Marfil, Rosalie Matilac, and Nilo Paz. This is based on the true story of a great Filipino botanist who was slain together with a guide and a forest ranger in the forest of Kanangga, Leyte. Government troops said they were caught in a crossfire between the military and the NPA but witnesses proved that they were just mistaken to be NPAs.

 “Lola Igna” – cultural drama, written and directed by Eduardo Roy Jr. about a 115-year-old grandmother living in Sagada. Will she get to be the Guinness Book of Records’ oldest living person and become a tourist attraction to benefit the farming community close to the cliff where the hanging coffins are located? How will this affect the warring factions in her family?

 “Mga Anak Ng Kamote” – futuristic absurd comedy-drama, written by John Carlo Pacala, directed by Carlo Enciso Catu. Set in 2052, the planting of kamote is prohibited by then and those guilty of planting and selling of kamote are put in prison per the Kamote Planting Regulation Act.

 “Sol Searching” – a dark comedy written and directed by Roman Perez Jr. about Teacher Sol, a no-nonsense grade school teacher who died and cannot be buried due to lack of funds. What will the community do to help put her to final rest, especially by the farmers who need to be taught the latest scientific farming methods?

 The 3rd TOFARM Film Festival will be held on September 12 to 19.

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How would you like a beauty pageant that does not have a swimsuit competition? Hence, there is no need for the contestant to expose herself in public wearing a bikini.

Well, Miss Makati 2018 is such kind of a contest and the 16 candidates who were presented to the media on Tuesday at the St. Giles Hotel in Makati Avenue need not go through public scrutiny wearing a skimpy bikini.

 They wore denim jeans and t-shirts when they paraded before the media.

 Founded in 1990 under the supervision of Miss Rosalinda Cervantes, Miss Makati aims to promote women empowerment and at the same time, foster the city’s cultural and tourism programs. The founder believes there is no need for a swimsuit competition and it has not been there since Day One.

 Makati Vice-Mayor Monique Lagdameo who graced the press conference shares the same sentiment.

 “We want to point out that you don’t need to see the body to win but we base it on how candidates carry themselves and the confidence that they will exude during the contest. There is no need to expose the body of the candidate for them to win.”

 Prizes at stake are P100,000 for Miss Makatizen, P150,000 for Miss Makati Tourism and P200,000 for Miss Makati 2018. Special awards will also be given out during the pageant. The title holders will actively promote the city as a vibrant destination and immerse in various social development programs of the local government.

 The coronation night will be held at the Globe Circuit Makati Event Grounds on June 9. Miss Makati 2018 is one of the featured events of the 348th Araw ng Makati dubbed Makati Makasalo.

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Here are the segments to watch out for in “Bubble Gang” tonight on GMA-7: Hapitot, Basa Basa Pik, Atlit, Mas Pinabonggang Sumbong Sumbong kay Bonggang Bonggang Bongbong,  Istambay, Patay Sindi (Paolo Contis and Antonio Aquitania attend a unique memorial service in a bar), Prenup, Cost Cutting and Bagong Diks (a comedy skit on new words that fit Filipino culture).